Big Rock Brewery Named One of Alberta's Top 50 Employers Second Year in a Row

Canadian owned and operated craft brewer awarded in this year's competition

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Feb. 1, 2011) - Big Rock Brewery Inc. (TSX:BR) is proud to announce that it have been selected as one of Alberta's Top 50 Employers by editors at Mediacorp Canada Inc. for the second consecutive year. This is an important accolade for the Calgary-based company because the culture at Big Rock has been a fundamental part of its growth and success.

"When the brewery first opened its doors over 25 years ago, Ed McNally really had to rely on a small team of employees who were passionate about the beer," says Bill McKenzie, President of Big Rock Brewery. "Some of those employees still work at the brewery and have been instrumental in creating the casual and fun work environment that still exists today."

Over the years the culture at Big Rock has continued to blossom, which makes it such a desirable place to work. As it moves into its 26th year of operations, Big Rock has grown to become one of the country's most successful craft brewers, full of passion and excitement. Today Big Rock is not only recognized for its commitment to brewing excellence but also for its sponsorship of numerous festivals, theatre groups and non-profit organizations.

Aside from being part of a casual, light-hearted culture (complete with numerous organized social events and staff barbeques) some highlights of employment at the brewery include: three weeks of paid vacation to start (moving to four weeks after just five years on the job), a matching RSP plan, a parental leave payment top-up for new mothers and fathers as well as adoptive parents, and two 6-packs of beer biweekly (with every pay cheque).

About the Competition

Winners of the Alberta's Top Employers competition were selected from applicants to the national Canada's Top 100 Employers competition. To develop this year's list editors at Mediacorp Canada Inc. examined the recruitment histories of over 75,000 employers across Canada that it tracks for its popular job search site, Eluta.ca. From this initial group, Mediacorp editors invited 10,000 of the fastest-growing employers to apply, plus another 2,500 companies and organizations in industries that they wanted to examine more closely. Employers completed an extensive application process that included a detailed review of their operations and HR practices. Over 2,750 employers started this year's application process nationally.

Mediacorp editors graded each of the applicants on eight key areas: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. These criteria have remained consistent since the inception of the national competition, now in its 11th year. Mediacorp editors also publish detailed reasons explaining why each of the winning employers was selected on their job search site (Eluta.ca) where they can be read free of charge.

About Big Rock Brewery Inc.

Big Rock Brewery Inc. - headquartered in Calgary, Alberta - produces premium, all-natural craft beers. As Canada's leading craft brewer Big Rock boasts a family of twelve exceptional ales and lagers (including their newest brew Big Rock Gopher Lager), Rock Creek dry apple cider and an ongoing selection of seasonal beers. Big Rock products are sold in nine provinces and three territories in Canada and oddly enough they are also available in Korea. For more information on Big Rock Brewery Inc. please visit bigrockbeer.com.